Strip trimming and severing apparatus



Mg. 19, WM. A. W. ME'B Z MER y fi STRIP TRIMMING AND SEVERING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 16, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR ug. 19, 1941. A METZNER 2,252,720

STRIP TRIMMING AND SEVERING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 16, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 oooeooioooooM' i I I INVENTOR O O 0 O o 0; o Q Q o 9 o E WMETZ/VEE W I Patented Aug. 19, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE STRIP TRIMliflNG AND SEVERING APPARATUS Albert W. Metzner, Dayton, Ohio, assignor to The Standard Register Company, Dayton, Ohio, a

corporation of Ohio Application January 16, 1939, Serial No. 251,185

19 Claims.

subsequently sever, the strips intermediate succeeding impressions into individual sheets, slips or forms.

The primary purpose and field of application of the invention, but not necessarily its only use, is the division of continuous record strips of series connected detachable form stationery into individual sheets or forms, after inscription thereof, and the simultaneous trimming therefrom of marginal feed or traction areas having therein longitudinally spaced configurations for engagement of positive strip feeding devices and which shall have served their useful purpose.

It is quite usual practice to progressively ad- Vance one or more continuous strips of record material through a writing or imprinting apparatus, tabulatin-g machine, autographic register.or other record making mechanism wherein legends are recorded thereon at longitudinally spaced intervals. In order that successive ,recorded legends may be disposed within prescribed areas or in predetermined relation with successive portions of the strips, the latter are provided with marginal traction areas having therein punched holes, notches or other configurations for engagement of traveling pin type or other form of positive strip feeding device.

To facilitate subsequent division of a record strip or web into a succession of individual sheets, the strip or web is ordinarily provided with longitudinally spaced transverse scored or weakened lines intermediate succeeding record receiving areas. formed in the strips at the time the succeeding forms thereon are printed, or subsequent thereto, as most convenient, preparatory to separation at uniformly spaced intervals into individual sheets' subsequent to receiving inscriptions thereon. The strips may or may not be provided with longitudinal weakened lines upon which the marginal traction areas thereof are also separable. In the event that they are not so scored or weakened, cutters or trimmers are provided relative to which the strip is progressively advanced.

In the present instance the strip is bursted on such transverse weakened lines by materially increasing the pulling tension on the strip to'the bursting point of the weakened lines. In order that the advance of the strip may be properly synchronized with the tensioning and bursting operations, the marginal configurations previously used for positively advancing the strip through the recording apparatus are preferably,

Such transverse weakened lines are although not necessarily, again utilized for advancing the strips relative to the trimming and severing means by which the marginal feeding or traction areas are progressively trimmed there-' structed and operated, but which will be more efficient in use, rapid and automatic in action, uniform in operation, having relatively few operating parts, of compact construction, and unlikely to get out of repair.

The primary object of the invention is to enable continuous record strips to be marginally trimmed and accurately divided into a succession ofindividual sheets at a very rapid rate of operation. a

A further object of the invention is to enable the advancement of the strip to be accurately synchronized with the strip bursting or. severing means.

A further object of the invention is to provide cooperating trimming means for removing from the ultimate sheets all markings or configurations incident to their passage through a record- A further object of the invention is to provide a strip trimming and severing apparatus embodying the advantageous structural features and inherent meritorious characteristics herein, mentioned and the method of operation thereof.

with the above primary and other incidental objects in view as will more fully appear in the specification, the invention intended to be protected by Letters Patent consists of the features of construction, the parts and combinations thereof, and the mode of operation, or their equivalents, as hereinafter described or illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings, wherein is shown the preferred but obviously not necessarily the only form of embodiment of the invention, Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a. strip trimming, dividing and sheet stacking apparatus embodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation thereof.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinalsectional view.

Figs. 5 and6 are detail side views of the motion transmitting gear trains.

Fig.7 is a detail sectional view of a fractional feeding means which may be substituted for the positive strip feeding device shown in the preceding views.

Fig. 8 is a plan view of a portion of a record strip partially trimmed and severed, illustrating the operations performed by the present apparatus.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughout the several views.

While thepresent invention may be embodied in various forms of apparatus having different appearance, for illustrative purpose, but with no intent to unduly limit the scope or application of the invention, it is herein shown in a simplified form.

Referring to the drawings, I--l indicate two parallel relatively spaced side frames, fixedly interconnected with each other by transverse rods and tie bars 2. At the .intake endof the frame are guide rods 3, 3' and 4, under and. over which respectively the strip 5 is progressively advanced from a supply packet 6. The guide rod 4 carries thereon slidingly adjustable retainer fingers I which, overhang the margins of the advancing strip 5 and direct it in. laterally aligned relation to pin wheel'feeding devices 8 carried upon a transverse shaft 9 which is joumaled in the side frames I and driven by suitable transmission gear mechanism. The radial feeding pins of the pin wheels 8 have progressive feeding engagement in marginally punched holes III in the strip 5 which, have been previously utilized for,

advancing the strip in properly timed relation through a writing or imprinting machine wherein legends have been recorded thereon at longitudinally spaced intervals. The pin wheels 8 include peripheral faces II at the inner sides the same type of feeding device nor the marginal traction areas employed for previously advancing the strip through the writing or imprinting apparatus.

The trimmer disc I2 is carried by an arm I slidingly mounted on a transverse frame rod l5 for to and fro adjustment in unison with the pin wheels 8 to accommodate record strips of different widths. The trimmer disc is spring actuated into operative engagement with the passing strip, which is pressed by the disc against the peripheral face II of the pin wheel under severing pressure. In the event the strip is provided with a longitudinal weakened line upon which the traction area is divisible, the peripheral face of the pin wheel or roller may be grooved in the plane of the disc I2, which may then have a dull edge and serve merely as a breaker disc. A relatively short distance beyond the pin type feeding device as here shown the strip is advanced between a pair of coacting rollers I6 and I1 mounted in hearings in the side frames l and intergeared with each other. The rollers I6 and H are driven in timed relation with the strip feeding means, but preferably at a slightly slower rate of speed. 'The roller I6 is provided with one or more strips of rubber I8, or with depressible clamp bars which coact with the opposing roller I! to intermittently engage the traveling strip. During the intervals between momentary engagement of the strip by the gripper rib or strip I8, the strip advances freely between the rollers I6 and I I and independently thereof. If more than one gripper rib or strip I8 are employed, they are peripherally spaced on the roller I6 proportionate to the length of the forms or sheets comprising the continuous strip, and which are defined thereon by transverse scored or weakened division lines I9. Otherwise, the size of the roller I6 is proportionate to the length of the sheets or forms into which the strip is to be divided. Thus, as illustrated in the drawings, the roller I6 makes one complete rotation for each succeeding sheet section of the strip.

During the momentary engagement of the gripper rib I8 with the strip 5, it not only ex'erts gripping pressurethereon, but due to the rotation of the roll it exerts thereon frictional feeding influence additional to the advancement of the strip by the pin wheels 8. However, toprotect of the feedingpins with which a rotary trimmer disc I2 cooperates to progressively remove from the advancing strip the marginal traction areas I3 containing the feed holes I0.

It will be understood that the present invention is not limited to operation upon marginally punched record strips nor the use of a pin type feeding device, but is equally applicable to strips having marginally notched or embossed configurations, and that friction feed means may be utilized in lieu of the positive pin type feeding devices. In fact, it is not essential that the present apparatus utilize for feeding purposes the strip against damage due to one feed oppos-.

ing the other, the rollers I6 and I! are actuated at slightly less peripheral speed than the pin wheels 8. As result of such differential feeding influence, a slight amount of slack or looseness develops in that portion of the strip 5 between the pin wheel and the rollers I6 and I1 during the interval that the strip is gripped by the rib l8. Such slack is so small as to be hardly noticeable, but is nevertheless sufiicient to prevent the strip being torn by tensioning action of the, rolls.

As soon as the gripper rib I8 passes its strip clamping zone, the strip being released and free for adjustment straightens out automatically, due to the inherent resiliency of the strip, and loses any accumulated slack. The rotation of the rollers is so timed with reference to the advancement of the strip that the gripper rib I8 engages the strip just beyond each transverse division line I9 of the strip as such weakened division which rotate at a much greater rate of speed. This second set of rollers comprises a lower roller 2|] journaled in the side frames I and a pair of coacting rollers 2| and 22 carried by a shaft 23 journaled in arms 24 pivoted to the side frames I. The arms are actuated by springs 25' to cause the rollers 2| and 22 to engage the lower roller 20 under pressure. Intermediate the sets ofslow and fast rotating rollers is a table 26 over which the end of the strip is advanced from the rollers lG-l'l to the rollers 2||--2|. As shown in the plan view, Fig. 3, the roller 2| is positioned in the path of thetraveling strip 8, but closely adj acent to one side thereof. The companion roller 2| on the shaft 22 is positioned at the opposite side of the strip somewhat'beyond its path of travel. The relation of the rollers 2| and 22 to the path of travel of the strip is such that the strip is engaged by only the roller 2|, and this in a laterally offset relation with the medial line of the strip. The spacing of the respective sets of rollers |6|| and 20- -2|22 is slightly less than the length of the spacing between succeeding transverse weakened division lines l9.

Consequently, at the moment that the gripper.

and 2|, which accelerates the advancement of the strip and subjects it to longitudinal tension. The roller 20 being disposed adjacent to one margin of the strip thus exerts the pulling tension unevenly upon the strip. The gripping action of the rollers l6 and I1 resists the acceleration of the travel of, the strip incident to the action of the rollers 20 and 2|. The tension exerted on the strip by the rapidly rotating rollers 20 and 2| is greatest adjacent to one margin of the strip, in line with the roller 2|. When the induced tension reaches the bursting point of the weakened line Is the strip is torn along such line starting from the more highly tensioned margin and progressing across the strip. However, the action occurs quite rapidly with a snap action. Although the pulling tension is exerted unevenly upon the strip by the rollers 20 and 2|, there occurs very little askew deflection of the detached sheets from a straight path of travel. Any alskew diversion is corrected by the discharge of the detached sheet portion into the receiving compartment 21 where the sheets automatically align themselves against the compartment wall in orderly fashion.

The synchronism of the feedin gripping and snapping actions is not critical and a limited other configurations, and those which may have been fed through a recording apparatus by frictional means alone, there is shown in Fig. '1 a frictional feed means. This consists of a pair of frictional pressure rollers 2| and 29, which are substituted for the pin wheel feed devices I. The construction and operation .is otherwise substantially as before described. The friction rollers are driven at slightly: greater peripheral speed than the gripper'rollers |8--|| and hence the same degree of slack will intermittently accumuproportioned as to aflord the differential periphlate to prevent either set of rolls opposing action of the other.

Obviously various gear transmission trains may be employed for actuating the several parts in properly timed sequence. The preferred motion transmitting system is illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6. The apparatus may be either motor actuated or hand operated. In either event, a fly wheel 32 mounted on one of the side frames, and in the drawings shown provided with a hand crank handle 3|, is connected with a gear pinion 32 which meshes with a gear 33 on the shaft of the roller II. This gear 33 intermeshes with a companion gear 34 upon the shaft of upper gripper roller l6. Thus the rollers |6-|'| are positively driven in unison. At the opposite side of the apparatus the shaft of the roller I'I carries two transmission gears 35-46. One of these gears is connected by a gear belt 31 with a gear wheel 38- upon the shaft 9 of the pin wheel feeding devices and thence about an idler gear 39. The other gear 36 is connected in like manner by a gear belt 40 with a gear 4| on the shaft of the snap roller 20. The belt is subject to action of a belt tightener pulley 42. The several gears are so eral speeds of the several rollers and feeding device before mentioned.

' intermediate the feeding devices, beyond the first weakened line, suiflcient tension will be induced in the terminal portion of the strip to overcome the weakened resistance of the division lines. Likewise, stationary knife blades against which the strip is drawn may be substituted for the rotary cutter discs l2.

In the event that the friction feed means as shown in Fig. "7 is employed to advance a strip having a longitudinal score or weakened line upon which the marginal area is divisible, the roller 29 may be provided with a peripheral groove with which the disc i2 will cooperate to progressively break the strip on the longitudinal weakened line. Obviously, when the punched margin of the strip is utilized with a positive pin type feeding unit 3 for advancing the strip, the cutting or breaking disc, as the case may be, need not cooperate with an integral peripheral portion ll of the pin wheel unit, but may have operative relation with an adjacent portion of either a smooth or a perlpherally grooved roll, separate from but concentrically disposed relative to the pin wheel unit I.

While for illustrative purpose the gripper roll I! has been shown as provided with but a single contacting rib II, and hence makes one complete revolution for each divisible section of the strip,'

it is to be understood that the roll It may be of larger size and may carry a plurality of contact ribs peripherally spaced one form length apart; This is especially eifective when the strip is being divided into relativelysmort forms as checks, utility bills and the like.

As appears in Fig. 3, the snap roller 2| is cylln;

drical and of relatively narrow face. Being operated at a somewhat greater speed than the normal travel of the strip under influence of the feeding means, it performs a snap action wherein the terminal portion of the strip is given a sudden 'forward impetus in alignment with its previous path of travel, but by force applied adjacent to one margin only. The sudden pulling action, which is resisted by the gripping engagement of the main portion of the strip beyond the first transverse division line, tensions the strip in excess of the tensile strength of the intermediate weakened line. This causes the severing action to be initiated on such first division line adjacent the margin closest to the speed roller 2|.

The tearing or severing action having been initiated, the resistance greatly decreases and the severing action continues quite rapidly across the strip to the opposite margin. The severed portion of the strip is propelled by the rollers 20 and 2| into the receiving compartment 21 with but little, if'any, deviation from its former path of travel.

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thus provided a device of the character described possessing theparticular features of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but which obviously is susceptible of modification in its form, proportions, detail construction and arrangement ofparts without departing from the principle involved or sacrificing any of its advantages, a

While in order to comply with the statute the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, but that the means and construction herein disclosed comprise the preferred form of several modes of putting the invention into effect, and the invention is theretherefrom marginal traction areas by which the strip was previously advanced through a recording apparatus and the trimmed remainder thereof divided into successive sheets on longitudinally spaced transverse weakened division lines intermediate succeeding legends, including a positive strip feeding device having interengagement with configurations in the marginal traction area thereof for advancing the strip in synchronism with the operation of succeeding. strip dividing means, trimmers relative to which the strip is advanced by the strip feeding device and by which therefrom at an accelerated rate of speed simultaneously with the intermittent engagement of the gripper rolls therewith, after each sheet division therefrom, the construction and arrangement being such that the terminal portion of the strip is unevenly longitudinally tensioned beyond the tensile strength of-the transverse division lines upon which tearing action'is thereby initiated at one margin and continued to the opposite margin of the strip.

2. An apparatus wherein a continuous strip of material having longitudinally spaced legend receiving areas is marginally trimmed to remove therefrom marginal traction areas by which the strip was previously advanced through a recording apparatus and the trimmed remainder thereof divided into successive sheets on longitudinally spaced transverse weakened division lines intermediate succeeding legends including strip feeding means progressively advancing the strip into strip severing position, a trimmer relative to which the strip is advanced by the strip feeding means, gripper means for I periodically retarding the advancement of the strip engageable therewith intermediate succeeding transverse weakened lines, and a second feeding device operative upon the terminal portion of the strip tending to advance such portion at an accelerated rate of speed simultaneously with the engagement of the main body of the strip beyond the first division line thereof by the gripper means, the construction and arrangement being I such that the terminal portion of the strip is the marginal traction areas are removed, a pair of gripper rolls between which the trimmed strip advances freely during a portion of its travel and by which the strip is intermittently gripped intermediate succeeding transverse weakened lines, said gripper rolls being rotated at a speed to transmit-to-the engaged portion of the'strip a limited advance movement at a lesser speed than its advancement by the strip feeding means,

- thereby obviating any tension between the strip feeding device and the gripper rolls, and a second pair of rolls operatively engageable with successive terminal portions of the strip simultaneously with the intermittent engagement'of the gripper 'rolis therewith after each division of a sheet longitudinally tensioned beyond the tensile resistance of the transverse weakened line thereof.

3. An apparatus wherein a continuous strip of material having longitudinally spaced legend receiving areas is marginally trimmed to remove therefrom marginal traction areas by which the strip was previously advanced through a recording apparatus and the trimmed remainder thereof divided into successive sheets on longitudinally spaced transverse weakened division lines intermediate succeeding legends, including a pair'of relatively spaced strip engaging means by one of which the strip is advanced into engaging relation with the other, and which other engaging device coacts with the terminal portion of the strip to advance the same, trimmer means past which the strip is advanced by which a marginal traction area is removed therefrom, and a-gripper device intermittentlyengaging the strip intermediate the respective strip engaging devices and intermediate successive transverse weakened lines of. the strip, said gripper device momentarily resisting the feeding action of the strip engaging device having engagement with the terminal portion of the strip to thereby tension the strip thereof, and means for longitudinally tensioning the terminal portion of the strip unequally transversely thereof beyond the tensile strength of the division line, the construction and arrangement Y being such that the strip is divided into succeeding sheets by a tearing action along successive weakened transverse division lines thereof, which tearing action is initiated at one margin of the strip and progressively continued along such lines to the opposite margin thereof.

5. An apparatus wherein a continuous strip of material having thereon recorded legends at longitudinally spaced intervals is divided into successive sheets upon transverse weakened lines intermediate succeeding legends, including relatively spaced strip engaging means, by one of which the strip is advanced into engaging relation with the other, and which other engaging device coacts with the terminal portion of the strip to exert advance movement thereon, a gripper device located intermediate the respective engaging means by which the advancement of the strip is temporarily retarded, and engageable with the strip rearwardly a transverse weakened line thereof whereby the gripper momentarily resists advancement by the engaging device having engagement with the terminal portion of the strip to increase the tension thereof to the bursting point at the weakened division line.

6. An apparatus wherein a continuous strip of material having longitudinally spaced transverse weakened division lines is automatically divided on said lines into a succession of sheets, including a pair of relatively spaced strip engaging devices having feeding engagement with the strip, means for driving one of the feeding devices at an accelerated rate of speed, and means intermediate the engaging devices of the pair for intermittently' engaging the strip rearwardly of a weakened division line and retarding the advancement of the strip in opposition to the feeding influence of the said accelerated strip feeding device, to thereby increase the longitudinal tension of the strip beyond the tensile resistance of a transverse weakened line thereof upon which tearing action is effected to separate the terminal portion of the strip from the body thereof.

'7. An apparatus wherein a continuous strip of material having longitudinally spaced transverse weakened division lines is automatically divided on said lines into a succession of sheets, including a pair of relatively spaced strip engaging devices one of which advances the strip into engaging relation with the other, and which other engaging device coacts with the terminal portion of the strip to exert advance movement thereon, and intermediate means engaging the strip rearwardly of a transverse weakened division line for retarding the advancement of the strip in opposition to the second of said strip engaging devices, to thereby increase the longitudinal tension of the intermediate portion of the strip beyond the tensile resistance of the transverse weakened division line within said intermediate portion.

8. An apparatus wherein a continuous strip of material having longitudinally spaced transverse weakened division lines is automatically divided on said lines into a succession of sheets, including a strip feeding device, a strip grasping and tensioning means intermittently engageable with vision lines is automatically divided into successive sheets on said transverse weakened lines, including a strip feeding device, a pair of rolls between which the strip is advanced having peripheral speed less than the rate of advancement of the strip by the feeding device and intermittently engageable with the strip between each succeeding pair of transverse weakened lines, and a strip grasping and tensioningmeans intermittently engageable with the terminal end of the strip simultaneously with its engagement by said rolls for tensioning a terminal portion of the strip having therein a transverse weakened line in excess of the tensile resistance of the said weakened line upon which the terminal portion of the strip is thereby divided from the body thereof.

10. An apparatus wherein a continuous strip of material having therein transverse weakened division lines is automatically divided into successive sheets on said transverse weakened lines, including a continuously operating strip feeding device and means intermittently engageable with the strip-in spaced relation with the strip feeding device for inducing a degree of slackness in the portion of the strip therebetween, to protect the feeding device and portion of the strip engaged thereby from undue strain during separation of successive terminal portions from the strip.

11. An apparatus wherein a continuous strip of material having therein transverse weakened di- 7 vision lines is automatically divided into sucthe terminal portion of the strip, and strip retarding means operative in opposition to the strip tensioning means to tension a terminal portion and with a weakened transverse division line 01' the strip between the detent means and the strip engaging device which engages the terminal'portion or the strip, the construction and arrangement being such that the detent means resists the action of the terminal strip engaging device to induce strip tension of the intermediate portion of the strip in excess of the tensile resistance of the included transverse weakened line upon which the strip is transversely torn by such tension strain.

12. An apparatus wherein a continuous strip of material having therein transverse weakened division lines is automatically divided into successive sheets on said transverse weakened lines, including a series of three strip engaging devices each operative to advance the strip at a diflerent relative rate of speed, the construction and arrangement being such that the second engaging device protects the first engaging device and portion of strip engaged thereby from undue strain influence oi. the third engaging device and sufficiently opposes the latter to induce longitudinal tension of the portion of the strip therebetween in excess or the tensile resistance of a transverse weakened division line includedtherein, causing tearing actionoi the strip upon the division line, bywhich the terminal portion is separated as an individual sheet.

13. An apparatus wherein a continuous strip of material having therein transverse weakened division lines is automatically divided into successive sheets on said transverse weakened lines, including a positive strip feeding device having operative feeding engagement with spaced configurations in the marginal traction areas of the strip, a pair of trimmers past which the strip is advanced by the feeding device and having operative engagement therewith inproximate relation to the opposite marginal edges of the strip to progressively separate therefrom such marginal traction areas, and rollers having engagement with the terminal portion of the strip in laterally offset relation with the medial line thereof by which the tension of the strip is increased adiacent to one margin to a degree greater than that adjacent the opposite margin,

' therebyv subjecting the strip to tension in excess of'the tensile resistance of the initial transverse weakened line thereof.

14. The herein described method of separating into successive sheets a continuous strip of material having therein longitudinally spaced transverse weakenedv division lines, including progressively advancing the strip past a separating posi-' tion, intermittently engaging and advancing the terminal portion of the strip, and intermittently snubbing a trailing portion thereof to tension an intermediate portion of the strip having therein a transverse weakened-division line in excess of the tensile strength of such weakened line and there- 1'1. In a sheet severing apparatus wherein a continuous strip of material having therein a succession of longitudinally spaced configurations for operative engagement of a positive strip feeding device is divided on longitudinally spaced transverse weakened division lines into a succession of individual sheets, a strip feeding device having progressive engagement with the longitudinally spaced configurations of the strip for positively advancing 'successive portions of the strip into strip severing position, arelatively spaced strip engaging device having intermittent a strip engaging device'and therelatively spaced by effecting transverse tearing action on said line. a

15. An apparatus for dividing a continuous strip of material on longitudinally spaced transverse weakened lines into a succession of individual sheets, including strip engaging and feeding means, operating at a given speed, a second strip engaging means disposed in spaced relation with the first engaging and feeding means, operating at an increased rate of speed and coacting with the terminal portion of the strip to exert advance movement thereon, and additional means intermittently engageable with the strip intermediate the respective engaging means-and imposing thereon periodic resistance to the action of the second engaging means, by which the tension of the strip is increased beyond the tensile strength of a transverse division line intermediate the respective engaging devices.

16. An apparatus for dividing a continuous strip of material on longitudinally spaced transverse weakened lines into a succession of individual sheets, including an aligning feed device having positive feeding engagement with the strip, trimming means past which the strip is advanced by the positive aligning feed device by which marginal traction portions are removed from the strip, strip tensioning means to which the trimmed portion of the strip is advanced, by which the terminal portion of the strip is tensioned beyond the tensile resistance of the initial transverse weakened line of the strip to thereby rupture the strip on said transverse line, and protective means preventing subjection of the aligning feed device to the pulling influence of the strip tensioning means.

accelerated strip engaging device is subjected to tejnsionin a longitudinal direction by which division on the initial transverse divison line thereof is facilitated.

18. A strip feeding. and dividing apparatus wherein a continuous strip of material having longitudinally spaced weakened transverse divlsion lines therein is progressively advanced past a strip severing position, strip feeding means having operative engagement with the strip for advancing the strip in timed relation with the strip severing operation, strip-tensioning means for strip of material having longitudinally spaced transverse weakened lines into a strip severing position, relatively spaced strip engaging members having intermittent simultaneous engagement with the strip at opposite sides of a transverse weakened division line thereof, including a pair of rollers engageable with the terminal portion of the strip and having peripheral speed greater than the speed of advancement of the strip by the strip feeding device, and a clamping device engageable with the strip beyond the weakened line thereof.

- ALBERT W. ME'I'ZN'ER. 

